Ever since war with Iraq became a serious possibility, President Bush has been seeking support from the United Nations in his effort, with little success. The latest attempt, which will probably be the last before the United States declares war on Iraq, is a resolution to declare Baghdad in violation of U.N. demands.
The resolution, which was introduced by the United States, Great Britain and Spain, does not authorize the use of military force, but the understanding of all U.N. Security Council members is that its approval signifies agreement to a war.
However, the Bush administration is seeing the vote of the Security Council as more than just a show of U.N. support. Senior U.S. and diplomatic sources said the administration is characterizing the vote as a decision of “whether council members are willing to irrevocably destroy the world body’s legitimacy by failing to follow the U.S. lead,” according to the Washington Post.
Though the United States is not relying on the Security Council’s vote of approval — Bush has said he would go to war with or without U.N. support — the Bush administration is linking U.N. credibility with its position on a possible U.S.-Iraqi war.
In essence, the Bush administration is saying, “If the United Nations does not help the United States, we are saying they do not count anymore.” While this is one of the most childish mindsets the United States could have, it is also one ignorant of the stated purpose of the United Nations.
As part of their charter, the United Nations determined “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind … and for these ends, to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours …” Yet the Bush administration believes the United Nations would become discredited by doing as much as possible within its powers to prevent war and find a peaceful solution, upholding diplomacy.
Believing in an organization until it opposes your cause is similar to following the rules of a game until they begin to hinder your chances of winning.
The Bush administration is hypocritical in its interpretation of the meaning of the Security Council’s vote, and will only further that hypocrisy by ever taking seriously another U.N. decision (thereby re-establishing U.N. credibility), which the United States most likely will.
If the importance of outside opinion is so little to the United States that they set on a course of action leading to war regardless of support, they should not lash out with insults when disapproval is demonstrated.
A vote of peace from the countries of United Nations should be expected and appreciated, as should be any decision adhering to the principles that brought them together.
